The Federal Government has successfully repatriated 161 Nigerians who were detained in Libya for various immigration offenses. The Nigerian Embassy in Libya played a crucial role in securing their release.
Ambassador Kabiru Musa, the Charge d’Affaires En Titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, revealed this information in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Musa explained that the Nigerian government, through its diplomatic mission in Libya, worked diligently to secure the freedom of these detained Nigerians, with the aim of allowing them to return home and start rebuilding their lives.
The evacuees are expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Monday night.
“As part of the Federal Government’s pledge to ensure none of its citizens is left stranded abroad, we have successfully evacuated another 161 Nigerians from Libya.
“The Nigerian Mission in Libya with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Libyan authorities secured their release from detention centers across Libya so that they can return home to rebuild their lives.
“The 161 evacuees departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli aboard chattered flight No.UZ0189 on Monday evening and are expected to arrive the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos same Monday night.
“They include 87 males, 68 females, five children, and one infant.
“This further shows the commitment of the Federal government to ensuring the safety and dignity of every Nigerian citizen in the diaspora,” Musa said.
Musa said that the evacuees were also sensitised on the dangers of irregular migration, warned against embarking on such perilous journeys again, and warned others to get home to avoid irregular migration.
Almost 6,000 stranded Nigerians have been repatriated under the IOM/FG Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) exercise in 2023.